The How-To of Self Care
The pandemic has left us with a constant barrage of the word self-care. Have you heard it yet? On the news, in magazines, on your favorite podcast, everyone wants to talk about self-care. But, have they told you HOW?!
When I’m talking with clients, I like to remind them that others’ ideas of self-care may not be what works for them. Self-care is personal; it should leave you recharged and rested. The practice of self-care, quite simply, is any practical and purposeful action to protect yourself and your happiness.
These questions can help you as you try to find self-care practices that work for YOU:
- What do I like to do?
- What makes me feel good?
- What makes me feel recharged?
If you try something, and you don’t get the result you want (recharge, happiness, rest), abandon it. Too often, we feel like we have to work and work. Self-care shouldn’t be work. And self-care doesn’t have to be something that creates any kind or product.
Here are some common self-care ideas:
- Cooking and Baking
- Art and Music
- Exercise and Sports
- Meditation
- Journaling/Writing/Reading
Self-care needs to be a priority for people. Too often, the day “gets away” from us and we are left without that recharge time. In order to work it in, I encourage people to set the alarm five minutes early to work in some time for yourself. If you aren’t a morning person, consider scheduling it at a better time of day for you, block that time off on your calendar, and STICK to it. You can even set an alarm to remind you it is “self-care time.” An accountability partner can help. This simply means finding a friend to check in with you to see that you’ve done the self-care practice.
Remember, self-care practice isn’t perfection. It is simply “a little here and a little there” to add up to a lot in terms of a healthier lifestyle.
